Upholstery making machine



Jan. 12,l 1932. F. w. BRINTNALL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE' Filed Oct. 17. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 12, 1932. F. w. BRINTNALL 1,841,006

UPHOLSTERY MAKING yIVIACI'IINII ,md oct. 17, 192e s sheets-sheet 2 Jan. 12, 1932.

F. W. BRINTNALL rUPHOLS TERY MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17. 1928 3 Shees-Sheet 3 ivf" wh- 3F- lll ' holstery making machines adapte Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK W. BRINTNALL, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T0 NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, INC., 0E WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORA- 'non or DELAWARE UFHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE Application tiled October 17, 1928. Serial No. 313,075.

to upto the purpose of making pleated upholstery. The invention is especially useful in an upholstery machine for making pleated cushions, such as are largely used in automobiles.

The primary object ofthe invention is to provide a machine of the character indicated with mechanism adapted to provide the lining material with pre-formed U-shape seams or ridges in an improved manner.

lThe invention contem lates providing the sheet of lining, as it is. ed through the machine, with U-shape ridges which are progressively formed from the central portion of the sheet outwardly toward the lateral edges. The purpose is to permit the material to be properly gathered by the ridgeformers,`aA ridge or ridges at the central portion of the sheet being first produced, and ridges flanking the central ridge or ridges being progressively formed from the center of the sheet outwardly toward the lateral edges.

In my application, Serial No. 27 8,234, filed May 16, 1928, I have disclosed mechanism adapted to produce a similar eiect on the finish fabric, or cover, of the cushion; and

This invention relatesy particularly the mechanism for properly seaming the lining, which is disclosed in the present application, is most usefully employed in association with means for gathering and pleating the finish fabric.

The present inventionvis illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanyin drawings, in which- Fig. 'l is a broken vertical sectional l'view oi` an upholstery machine embodying the" in.- vention; Fig. lis a brokensectional perspective view illustrating the type of cushion which the machineis adapted to produce; Fig. 2 is a broken transverse verticall sec-v tional view, taken as indicated at line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a broken plan sectional y. view, taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig, 4 is a detail sectional view, taken as n` dicated at line 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a similar section, taken at the lower point, as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a grooved seam-forming member employed; and Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a companion member having a tongue or projection adapted to extendv into the groove of the member shown in Fig. 6.

A machine of the general construction to which the present invention relates is fully disclosed in Brintnall and Ross application, Serial No. 310,588, tiled October- 5, 1928.

In the construction illustrated, A designates the frame of an upholster machine; B, a series of ridge-forming c ains upon which the finish fabric, or cushion-covering, designated 1, is carried through the machine; C, a pair of rolls at the front portion of the machine adapted to draw the work through the machine; D, a vertically adjustable crosshead upon which certain of the operative parts are mounted; D', castings carried by the end-portions ofthe cross-head D and rigidly connected together by cross bars, or shafts, D, D3, D* and D; E, a ooved forming-roll journalled in the crossead and vertically adjustable therewith, said roll bein provided with a serieso circumferentia grooves 2 adapted to accommodate the nested seam-ridges ofthe fabrics and the ridgechains carrying the same, the lining fabric being designated 3; F, a batt-feeding device journalled in the members F carried b the cross-head and vertically adustable -t erewith; G, a batt-deflecting rol journalled in the members F; H, a series of tubes mounted on a member H. carried by the main frame and serving to 'conduct batting strips 4 to the pleats of the cushion being formed; I, a battfeeding device journalledin the members I carried by the main frame; J, a cross bar or fixed shaft, carrie'd by the main frame; series of sewing mechanisms adjustably mountedon the cross-head D and capable of lbeing raised and lowered therewith; L, a series of pairs of seam-ridge forming members adapted to progressively form seam-ridges in the lining from the central portion of the lining outwardly as the lining is drawn to the forming roll E, Where the nesting of thev A through the machine.

The ridge-chains B, the work-feeding roll C, the forming roll E, the feed devices F, the batt-defiecting roll Gr, and the sewing mechanisms K are positively driven by suitable means (not shown). Likewise, the feeding device l is positively driven by suitable means (not shown) which may be periodically stopped so as to hold the batting strips, While they are torn or severed over shearing edges 5 with which the lowerends of the chutes or guides l-l are provided.

Referring to Fig. la, it may be stated that in the operation of the machine, the lining 3 is provided with a series of longitudinal seam-ridges 3a, and the covering, or finish fabric, lis provided with la series of seamridges 1t1 and pleats,'or pipes, 1b. rfhe seamridges la are nested within the seam-ridges 3 and the nested seam-ridges project above the plane of the lining so as to afford opportunity for the sewing of the seam-ridges. To edect the sewing, each of the sewing mechanisms K is provided with a transversely reciprocating sewing needle 6 and a co-operating looper needle 7 which works in a plane parallel with the seam-ridges. Each sewing needle carries a sewing thread 6a, and each looper needle carries a looper thread 7E.

The manner in which the sewing mechanisms K operate neednot be described in detail. These mechanisms form no part of the present invention, specifically. lt may be stated that Fig. 1a illustrates the formation of a lock-stitch seam.

It should be understood that in the operation of the machine, a series 'of pleats or pipes is formed as the fabrics are drawn through the machine, and a strip of cotton batting, or other suitable material, enters each of the pleats, the strips of batting being properly secured in the pleats when the seam-ridges are sevved in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1a. Each pair of formers L comprises a grooved front member L provided with hooks or lugs 8 and 9, by means of which the member is demountably carried by thexed shafts D2 and D3 of the cross-head; and a rear member L2 equipped with lugs or hooks 10 and 11, by means of which the member is demountably supported on the fixed shafts D* and D5 ofthe cross-head. The rear member of each pair is provided with a projection or flange 12 which is adapted to eX- tend into the -groove or vertical slot 13 of the companion member L.

The upper ends of the flanges 12 are beveled, as indicated at 12a in Figs. 1 and 7; and,

as appears from Figs. 1 and 2, the two ridgeformers at the central portion of the machine and immediately flanking the central line 14 (Fig. 2) have the flanges 12 extending highest. From the central portion of the machine towards the sides of the machine, the flanges 12 are vsuccessively reduced in height. The purpose is to permit thelining to be gathered first at the central portion, and then successively in both directions from the center in the operation of forming the seamridges in the lining. rlhis insures positive and even gathering of the lining fabric to form the seam-ridges.

As shown in Fig. 2, itis preferred to equip theshafts D2 with members 15 having fingers 15A and 15b adapted to yieldingly grip the edges of the lining fabric, but permitting the fabric to be gradually withdrawn as the shirring operation proceeds. The lining 3 is shown supported by cross bars or shafts 16 and 17 carried. by standards 18 mounted on the end portions of the cross-head. The lining is drawn from a roll 19, shown brokenly in Fig. l.

l'n the operation of the machine, the finish fabric and the lining fabric are fed or drawn through the machine; the lining fabric is provided with seam-ridges at intervals corresponding with the grooves in the forming roll E; the finish fabric is provided with seam-ridges and intervening pleats (fullness of the cloth) the finish fabric seam-ridges are nested within the lining seam-ridges as the material passes beneath the forming roll E, the ridge-,chains B serving to carry the seamridges through `the grooves of the roll E; the batting strips 4 enter the pleats between the finish fabric and the lining and are carried therewith beneath the forming roll E; and, finally, the sewing of the seam is edected by the sewing mechanisms K.

ln practice, the sewing mechanisms are adjustably spaced, and provision is made for adjusting the position of the grooves 2 ofthe forming roll E. In the .illustration given, the grooves constitute spaces between collars 20 with which the roll E is equipped. V arious other members, including the formers M, are adjustably spaced. The purpose of the adj ustability is to enable cushions with pleats of different widths to be formed 'in the machine. The pairs of forming devices, or ridge-formers, L are likewise laterally adjustable upon the shafts which carry them` Also, the pairs of formers are readily detachable to enable access to be gained to the work, when necessary. When the lining is to be entered between the members of the formers L, the rear members L2 may beremoved until the lining has been properly introduced through the machine, and t e mem, bers L2 may then he replaced.

As will be seen from' Figs. 5 and 6, the 5 lower portion of the bar 12 tapers rearwardly, as indicated at 12", thus formin a divider between the strips of batting. A so, as seen in Fig. 1, the lower portion of the bar 12 extends into the groove 2 of the forming roll E. y

As shown in Fig. 3, the shafts D2 and D4 are equipped with adjustably mounted sleeves or rings 21 which are provided with peripheralV grooves 21 which receive the hook portions of the forming members L and L2. The forming members may be poperly spaced by adjusting the mem-` The foregoing 'detailed description hasy been given for clearncss of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations shoul be understood therefrom, .but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

-1. In an upholsteryv machine: means for feeding a lining sheet, a covering, and intervening batting strips, said means comprising devices for forming pleats and intervening seam-ridges in the covering; and a series of pairs of devices for forming seam-ridges in the lining, each pair comprisin a grooved member and a companion mem r which is provided with a projection extendin into the groove of the first-mentioned mem er.

2. In an upholstery machine a bed andv associated means for providing a covering kwithpleats and intervening seam-ridges; a 40 grooved forming-roll above and co-operating `with said bed; means for conducting batting strips to the pleats; and means for conducting a lining to said forming-roll and forming ,seam-ridges in the lining, said last-named means comprising a series of ridge-forming devices having co-operating tongues and grooves so disposed as to progressively form the ridges in the lining from the central portion outwardly.

50 3. In an upholstery machine: a bed equipped with means for sup orting acovering and having means for orming pleats and intervening seam-ridges in the covering; means disposedv over said bed for vfeeding ba-tts to the pleats; a vertically adjustable cross-head disposed over the bed; and a series of pairs of ridge-forming members mounted on said cross-head, said members being equipped'with means for forming ridges in 00 a lining conducted' therethrough to the vicinity of the bed of the machine.

4. In an upholstery machine for forming pleated upholstery; a bed; a vertically ad- ]ustable cross-head above said bed; cross bars carried by said cross-head; and ridge-formnalled in said cross-head; and a series ofv l pairs of fabric-ridging members mounted on said cross-head and equip ed with ridgeforming means so dispose as to pro essively orm ridges in the fabric from the central portion thereof outwardly as the fabric is drawn therethrough.

, 6. In an upholstery machine: a vertically movable cross-head; crossbars carried thereby; and a series of pairs of ridge-formin members mounted on said cross bars, eac pair comprisin a grooved member and a companion mem er havin a tongue projecting into the groove of 51e first-mentioned member.

7. In an'upholstery machine: a-vertically movable lcross-head; a ,forming roll journalled in the lower portion of said cross-head and equipped with a series of peripheral grooves; ridge-forming means supported on said' cross-head above the plane of said forming roll and equipped with a series of fabricridging devices; and means for conducting fabric to said ridge-forming means.

8. In an upholstery machine, the combination with means for feeding a covering and strips of filling material and forming the covering into pleats and intervening seam ridges, of a series of gathering and ridging members disposed over the path of the covering and filling material, for gathering a lining sheet drawn between said members and forming y seam ridges therein, said ridging members being of progressively decreasing length from the middle of said series loutwardly to the outermost members of said series whereby the middle portion of the lining will iirst contact with the longest of said ridging members and the latter will progressively form seam ridges in the linin Afrom the central portion thereof outwar ly as the same is drawn between said members.

9. In an upholstery machine: a bed equipped with means for supporting a covering and having means for forming pleats and intervening ,seam-ridges in the covering; means disposed oversaid bed for feeding batts to the pleats; a cross-head disposed over said bed; a, forming device mounted on said cross-head having spaces for the passage o1 seam-ridges therethrough; means for conlll ducting a linin -fabr1c; and seam-ridge forming devices 1 n front of which the lin- ,ing passes comprising members having porform seam-ridges in the lining from the central portion thereof outwardly as the lining passes through the mechanism. z

10. An upholstery machine as set forth in claim 9, in which the members of the seamridge forming devices are mounted on said cross-head.

11. An upholstery machine as specified in claim 9, in which the means for feeding batts comprise toothed members disposed over and engaging the batts and in which the members of the seam-ridge forming devices are interposed between said toothed members' and said first-mentioned forming device.

FRANK W. BRINTNALL. 

